INDIANAPOLIS – Sammy Watkins is starting to complicate things for Browns general manager Ray Farmer.
The star from Clemson was the standout performer on Feb. 23 during passing/receiving drills at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
If the Browns are content to wait for their quarterback they might use the fourth pick in the draft on Watkins to pair him with Josh Gordon.
Watkins looked smooth running an array of routes while catching passes from a group of quarterbacks, none of whom were in the top tier of quarterbacks — Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater or Derek Carr — in this draft.
On Feb, 22, Watkins talked about the possibility of teaming with Gordon, who last season set a Browns franchise record with 1,646 yards receiving. He said it would be a “wise decision” for the Browns to select him.
Watkins earned praise after his Combine workout from NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock and Michael Irvin, the Hall of Fame receiver from the Cowboys working for the NFL Network.
“Sammy Watkins is a special player,” Mayock said. “I usually don’t get excited about drafting a receiver in the top 10. He’s different.”
Watkins ran a 4.43 40-yard dash — not the fastest among the receivers; that honor went to Brandin Cooks of Oregon State at 4.33 — but Watkins’ time was good enough to keep him as a likely top-five selection.
“(He’s an) explosive athlete,” Browns head coach Mike Pettine said. “I think anytime you can add somebody to your team that can score points, that can make explosive plays, that’s what the NFL is all about. You have to have players that when they get their hands on the ball they’re special, and I think he falls into that category.”
Watkins is 6-foot, 205 pounds. He caught 101 passes for 1,464 yards at Clemson in 2013. Nolan Narwocki of NFL.com says the numbers were puffed up by playing in a “gimmicky” offense and adds Watkins can improve as a route runner, but not much else in his analysis of Watkins is negative.
“Exceptional football playing speed — can flat out fly and take the top off a defense,” Narwocki wrote. “Has world-class track speed. Extends outside his frame and plucks the ball. Outstanding body control and agility. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder and is a natural hands-catcher who can make an average quarterback look good. Consistently turns 2-yard gains into 15-yard chunks.”
Watkins demonstrated those skills in his combine workout with scouts, coaches and general managers from every team watching, albeit without a defensive back trying to impede his route, whether a fly pattern, an out, a double move or an inside route.
“For me, I try to be physical out there on the field as far as getting off press, blocking down the field,” Watkins said. “To be that dominant receiver I need to have that total package. Everyone knows all wide receivers can catch balls and score, but for me I’m focusing on the little things — blocking, getting off the press and being a physical, dominant receiver.
“For me, I think I can do just about anything on the field from wide receiver to running back to slot. I can make plays all over the field. What I love doing is dominating defenses. I think that’s what I bring to the game and I think that’s going to turn over to the NFL.”
Watkins said he has met formally and informally with the Browns. He said being on the same team as Gordon would create “a nightmare” for defenses trying to cover both of them. When prompted, he also talked about playing for the Lions and teaming with wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
Watkins posted a 34-inch vertical jump and 10.5 feet in the standing broad jump. Tevin Reese of Baylor’s broad jump of 11 feet, two inches was best among wide receivers.